About Us

Hi, I’m Lilia Monroe, 39 years old, and I live in sunny Pasadena, California, where citrus trees grow in the front yard and the smell of grilled street tacos floats through the air most evenings. I’m a chef by trade, but my heart has always been rooted in the kind of cooking that happens in real homes—messy, joyful, improvised, and made with love.

I started my journey in a small kitchen with chipped countertops and a stove that liked to play hard to get. My mom taught me how to make scrambled eggs just the way my dad liked them—creamy, slow-cooked, with a hint of cheddar. That may not sound glamorous, but that moment was the spark. I realized then that food wasn’t just nourishment—it was connection.

I trained professionally in San Francisco and worked in a few busy kitchens, learning discipline, timing, and the thrill of service. But I found my true joy when I stepped out of the high-pressure world of restaurant life and into teaching home cooking workshops in my community. That’s where I saw magic happen. A teenager proudly flipping her first omelet. A dad learning to bake cookies with his kids. A grandma discovering she could finally make sourdough from scratch. That’s the kind of cooking I live for.

At home, I cook for my wife, two very spoiled cats, and a rotating circle of friends who’ve learned never to say “I’m just stopping by” unless they’re ready to taste-test something new. My style is unfussy, intuitive, and a little playful. I believe in cooking with all five senses, and I trust my instincts more than any cookbook.

To my fellow home cooks—whether you’ve mastered roast chicken or still panic at the sight of raw dough—you belong here. Your kitchen is already enough. Your meals already matter. Cooking is not about chasing perfection. It’s about showing up, stirring the pot, and making something that brings comfort, joy, or just a moment of peace in a noisy day.

I’m Lilia, and my kitchen door is always open. Let’s cook something good together.